THE RATIONAL FEEDING OF DAIRY STOCK 143 



they will contain the maximum amount of nutritive 

 materials, and such fodders can be used in appreci- 

 ably less amounts than fodders grown under less 

 favorable conditions and which contain more fiber 

 and less digestible protein and carbohydrates. Be- 

 cause of differences in the quality of the same class 

 of fodders, it is possible for two farmers to feed the 

 same kinds of feeding stuffs and grains and yet 

 secure widely different return in milk yields. 



While it is not necessary to conform too closely to 

 the standards in the feeding of dairy stock, a wide 

 variation is not desirable, as milk cannot be produced 

 economically when the stock is not fed on reasonably 

 well-balanced rations, and the quality of the product 

 is often abnormal. Numerous experiments have been 

 made to determine the rations that are most suitable 

 for milk production. It has been found that a com- 

 paratively narrow ration of 1 to 5.5 will produce a 

 larger flow of milk than a wider ration of 1 to 8. 

 But if the narrow ration is fed in large amounts, the 

 milk is not produced as economically as when the 

 wider ration is fed. Maximum returns are secured 

 when a ration is fed which has a nutritive ratio of 

 from 1 to 6.5 or 7.5. It frequently happens in the 

 feeding of dairy stock that heavy grain rations are 

 not economical because the excess of protein is not 

 used for vital purposes, but serves a purpose which 

 would be as well served by the use of the cheaper 

 carbohydrates. In the case of young stock it is ad- 

 vantageous to feed a liberal ration, as this will have 



